Alright everyone, keeping in the spirit of the games weíve decided to give ALL the DQíd players another shot here. Before you ask, no, this decision wasnít based on the ISC incident, Iíve been thinking about this since the second day or so when we started getting more DQís than scoreable mocs.

First, depending on number of entries total, we want to extend the players list from 64 to 128. Obviously if we donít get 128 players, we canít do that and itíll have to stay at 64.

That aside, those of you that were DQíd, to get your moc scored and counted all you have to do is follow these few simple steps:

One: Fix your moc. Whatever was wrong with it, fix the problem (ie: If you didnít have a link to the main group, make it. If the title was wrong, fix that and so on).

Two: Post a link to that moc HERE in THIS thread BEFORE the deadline for the round. The judges will score it and youíll be back in the running.

Thatís it. Fix it and post it. Done.

The spirit of the MocOlympics is to get everyone involved and building and to try something new that they might not have ever tried in Lego before. Yes, there are rules that need to be followed but for me itís always been the spirit of the games that comes first.

Donít let this show of leniency by me, your gracious host, let your guard down for future rounds. Iím only going to be nice once. Please everyone, donít make me regret it.

I wish you all the best of luck and canít wait to score some of those mocs that were DQíd. Get fixing and letís get going!Permalink

I know this was decided in a rush, while I was not available, but I HAVE to say mine on this matter.
This decision may well seem fair to some contestants, who got disqualified on a technicality.
However, considering dropouts, at the end of R1 it's quite unlikely we'll have more than 128 entries total.
In that case, with R2 set back to 64, some of these contestants will take the place in R2 of other players that however less skilled, managed to follow the rules without the need of a second chance (and they are a majority).
Is it fair to them?

Let me remind you about Finn-Q: when we changed the games' start, he asked 24 hours to be able to upload his MOC, since he was going on vacation.

Quoting Chris Phipson

Let's put it this way. If I made an exception for you this one time, then I'd have to make an exception for someone else another time and then another person another time. You see where this is going. No exceptions can be made. I'm sorry. The due dates will stand.

What, rules stand for him, but not for them?
He didn't get to play, is this fair to him?
Maybe the "spirit of the games" was not available at the time.

Is this fair to the NEXT people who'll get DQ'd?

Rules that don't work out should be changed BETWEEN games, not in-game.

my opinion is; first of all that we should not discuss this in this tread,
I think this second chance is good, but I can also understand some people with low scores fear to lose their place in R2,
however, there are also those people bursting with exitement and made some minor mistakes because of that resulting in being DQ'd
Let's all accept this chance and hope we all go to round 2Permalink

And another thing: I hope you realise what is going to happen in the next Olympics (2011). How devoted is anybody going to follow the rules if an "exception" is going to be "expected" ?? And Yuri, absolutely right you are. Very unfortunate this is. Trust in the spirit of the games we must.Permalink

For those of you concerned that I Scream Clone would be taking a spot from another player due to this, you don't have to. ISC will not be competing in the games. He and I spoke (via email) and we decided that a lot of people would think that this had to do with him (which it does not) so rather than create more drama, he graciously declined to continue.

And for the record, this second chance is given to ALL those who were DQ'd, even the two that were disrepectful to the judges and were banned from the group. The ban has been lifted and they are permitted to resubmit their mocs if they wish.

I will also be reposting the rules on the front page of the group so that they are easy to find. No more sifting through hundreds of threads to find the rules, they'll be right there.

I understand the concern from many of you about this decision and even spoke with one of the contestants on the phone last night concerning this. After the conversation it was agreed that although we did not see eye to eye on this decision, the reasoning behind it was acceptable.

Now, let's put this issue behind us and move on. The concept of the games is for everyone to be able to participate and learn something new in a fun environment. Let's all keep that in mind as we move on to the next round (hopefully with 128 players now).

Quoting Fruity Toucan
Hey Chris ISC can have my spot in the games and I can just participate in the side games because if I give him my spot in the games it's not like he is adding himself in the games It will be like he was never DQ.

Thank you but no. ISC and I had a long discussion about this (and other things) and he won't be competing. Thank you.Permalink

Quoting Chris Phipson
For those of you concerned that I Scream Clone would be taking a spot .....concept of the games is for everyone to be able to participate and learn something new in a fun environment. Let's all keep that in mind as we move on to the next round (hopefully with 128 players now).

Good luck to all of you.

Respect! I can't wait for the categories to arrive! ON WITH THE GAMES!!!!Permalink

Quoting Giovanni Seynhaeve
And another thing: I hope you realise what is going to happen in the next Olympics (2011). How devoted is anybody going to follow the rules if an "exception" is going to be "expected" ?? And Yuri, absolutely right you are. Very unfortunate this is. Trust in the spirit of the games we must.

Thanks, but I hoped Chris would answer.
Instead, he just feels the matter is closed.

Quoting Chris Phipson
For those of you concerned that I Scream Clone would be taking a spot from another player due to this, you don't have to. ISC will not be competing in the games. He and I spoke (via email) and we decided that a lot of people would think that this had to do with him (which it does not) so rather than create more drama, he graciously declined to continue.

And for the record, this second chance is given to ALL those who were DQ'd, even the two that were disrepectful to the judges and were banned from the group. The ban has been lifted and they are permitted to resubmit their mocs if they wish.

I will also be reposting the rules on the front page of the group so that they are easy to find. No more sifting through hundreds of threads to find the rules, they'll be right there.

I understand the concern from many of you about this decision and even spoke with one of the contestants on the phone last night concerning this. After the conversation it was agreed that although we did not see eye to eye on this decision, the reasoning behind it was acceptable.

Now, let's put this issue behind us and move on. The concept of the games is for everyone to be able to participate and learn something new in a fun environment. Let's all keep that in mind as we move on to the next round (hopefully with 128 players now).

Good luck to all of you.

Well, the concept behind the eliminatories WAS to reduce DQs and dropouts AND to increase quality in the "Versus" games.
Do you know how frustrating it is sweating blood for an entry, and see your opponent drop out? Or posting XXXX? (R1 and R2 of my 2009 M.O.)
I assure you it wasn't fun.
And as Giovanni was saying, this way they will still learn nothing.
The thing that saddens me most is the way you have been so dismissive with the case, without even trying to address some of the issues I presented.
And without answering me.
You see, the main issue here is that you showed you CAN overrule the judges if you feel like it.
There is no warranty of fairness with that in the way.Permalink

I guess you judges will just have to be that much harder in the next rounds on those that don't follow the rules. Perhaps it would be a good idea to discuss judge decisions in a private judge group (which I'm assuming you have) and present a united front to the contestants. And for my part of the brown-nosery, I think all of you judges ARE trying to keep this fair in your own ways. Thanks.Permalink

Quoting Dr. HappyBaboon , PhD
I guess you judges will just have to be that much harder in the next rounds on those that don't follow the rules. Perhaps it would be a good idea to discuss judge decisions in a private judge group (which I'm assuming you have) and present a united front to the contestants. And for my part of the brown-nosery, I think all of you judges ARE trying to keep this fair in your own ways. Thanks.

We do have such a group. It was not cosidered a viable tool in this matter.Permalink

Quoting Eric Mickle
People who dont agree with this what would you say if you were one of those who were diqualified?

We would take the DQ like mature people do when they agree to the contest rules.

No one who is opposing this is afraid of losing this round, so those who think that need to get your facts straight.

Chris and I spoke on this matter considerably last night, and while I whole heartedly disagree with the decision I do concur that he believes in his heart that this is the right thing to do for MOCpages and the games.

While it is very honorable for ISC to remove himself from the games I definitely feel it's unnecessary at this point. However, I understand not wanting to be the center of any controversy either....I'm sure he feels like an innocent bystander in all of this, and rightly so. It wasn't him who made the decision and he shouldn't be blamed for the outcome.

Bottom line is that Chris has executed Order 66, and we will move forward from this point on to restore the Jedi religion. Permalink

We would take the DQ like mature people do when they agree to the contest rules.

No one who is opposing this is afraid of losing this round, so those who think that need to get your facts straight.

Chris and I spoke on this matter considerably last night, and while I whole heartedly disagree with the decision I do concur that he believes in his heart that this is the right thing to do for MOCpages and the games.

While it is very honorable for ISC to remove himself from the games I definitely feel it's unnecessary at this point. However, I understand not wanting to be the center of any controversy either....I'm sure he feels like an innocent bystander in all of this, and rightly so. It wasn't him who made the decision and he shouldn't be blamed for the outcome.

Bottom line is that Chris has executed Order 66, and we will move forward from this point on to restore the Jedi religion.

just a simple question but you must of felt you had to explain with legthPermalink

Quoting Heath 'kik36' Flor
Chris and I spoke on this matter considerably last night, and while I whole heartedly disagree with the decision I do concur that he believes in his heart that this is the right thing to do for MOCpages and the games.

Like anybody had any doubt about that... we all KNOW Chris' heart is in the right place. I was more concerned with his mind.

Quoting Heath 'kik36' Flor
Bottom line is that Chris has executed Order 66, and we will move forward from this point on to restore the Jedi religion.

And here, my friend, lies the bulk of my concern. He shouldn't have the authority to do so on his own in the first place. There are 6 judges here.
And I know he's not the "my game, my rules" kind of person, but since we didn't have a non-interference agreement before, all I require is his simple word that he will never again overrule the judges.

Quoting Chris Phipson

When one of my absolut FAVORITE builders and a man that I consider a friend is DQ'd, no one can now question our integrity.

See? Now they can, that's why I was so concerned!

And then, after all this, I won't even see ISC compete anyway, so in the end this was a lose-lose situation.Permalink

Quoting Eric Mickle
i also didnt say any of the stuff you pointed out so take your man pills

I responded to you with one sentence Eric. Obviously you are failing reading comprehension in school as well. It seems to be a trend with your age group. Now I suggest you stop trying to bait arguments before you find yourself on the other end of the ban stick.

@Yuri I absolutely agree with you, but there's nothing we can do now but move forward. Hopefully you judges can work out the final details in your own group and just let us Peons know where we stand.Permalink

I responded to you with one sentence Eric. Obviously you are failing reading comprehension in school as well. It seems to be a trend with your age group. Now I suggest you stop trying to bait arguments before you find yourself on the other end of the ban stick.

@Yuri I absolutely agree with you, but there's nothing we can do now but move forward. Hopefully you judges can work out the final details in your own group and just let us Peons know where we stand.

I apologise if i offended you but i have some questions.
What age do you think i am?
How am i baiting an argument?
Lastely if you responded to me with the first sentence why did you continue writing if its the same reply?Permalink

First to Eric, I didn't do this without consulting another judge. Bones and I discussed it before any action was taken.

Yuri and I have discussed the issue and I have assured him that from this point forward, all decisions will be made with ALL the judges weighing in, not just a couple, and majority rules.

I have also discussed my reasons for doing what I did with the judges at great lengths (reasons that I won't go in to fully here). Short version, I want everyone to be able to be able to participate in anything the community has to offer, not just the Olympics.

I've learned that in trying to please everyone, someone always gets hurt. It's led me to consider (and I stress the word CONSIDER) not hosting any more events on mocpages after this one. No matter what happens, I always seem to tick someone off and that just doesn't sit right with me.

I strive to make mocpages a place where kids and adults can share and have fun. That's all I've ever wanted and I seem to just keep mucking it up.

To Yuri, Heath and the others that disagreed with the decision, I apologize. Those that know me well (as Heath pointed out above) know that my heart was in the right place on this, although my mind isn't always in sinc.

Now, let's move on and continue the games. May the best player win! Good luck to all of you.Permalink

Yuri and I have discussed the issue and I have assured him that from this point forward, all decisions will be made with ALL the judges weighing in, not just a couple, and majority rules.

And with this, I trust most of you will be satisfied that any last trace of doubt has left this contest.

Quoting Chris Phipson
To Yuri, Heath and the others that disagreed with the decision, I apologize. Those that know me well (as Heath pointed out above) know that my heart was in the right place on this, although my mind isn't always in sinc.

As I said before

Quoting Yuri Fassio
We all KNOW Chris' heart is in the right place. I was more concerned with his mind.

I stand by that, and I'm satisfied with your statement :)
Let's get on with it!!

Addendum:

Quoting Chris Phipson
It's led me to consider (and I stress the word CONSIDER) not hosting any more events on mocpages after this one.

And of course too much time has passed since the last brain f4rt so he needed another go.
Like we would allow him to.Permalink

Quoting Eric Mickle
i have some questions.
What age do you think i am?

From the way your acting,2.
<

Quoting Eric Mickle
How am i baiting an argument?

Quoting Eric Mickle
People who dont agree with this what would you say if you were one of those who were diqualified?

Heath, being one of those who disagreed, ANSWERED your question. Your response:

Quoting Eric Mickle
just a simple question but you must of felt you had to explain with legth
i also didnt say any of the stuff you pointed out so take your man pills

He never stated that you said any of those things, he was expressing his opinion. DON'T ask questions if your not going to respect someones honest answer. Man pills? This kind of behavior is NOT what these games are about, so keep your flamethrower in it's holster and let the games move forward!~H